I have always maintained that having a spare set of rims for winter tires is a better investment than paying $40 twice a year for the local garage to mount/balance tires. So far its worked great.
But when I got my new car, that equilibrium was upset. The new car has a new bolt pattern on the rims, (5X105) which makes getting rims at $25ea from the wreckers an unlikely proposition.
Princess Auto (like Harbor Freight) has a tire-changing machine available for $89.00+TAX = $100.57 but that adds a level of complexity to swapping the tires spring and fall, and honestly the unknown scares me. I really don't want to destroy a rim or a bead by trying to mount my own tires. I may be off base on this. Reviews are good on it, but it will scratch aluminium wheels.
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/8-to-16-in-tire-changer/A-p2050002e - pays for itself in 1.5 years, takes up a lot of floor space.
On craigslist, I've found a set of rims for my car for $250 (new ones are $120 each). These are 16" rims and my winters are 15" - I like consistency, but this isn't a big issue since I need to replace the summer tires anyways. - Pays for itself in 3.5 years, fits on existing tire rack.
So I guess the question is, what is the better approach...
1. Buy nothing and visit the mechanic twice a year at $40 a pop
2. Spend $100 for a tire mounter and learn a new skill.
3. Spend $250 for rims and keep on with the existing system.